Carrying rubber gun at work?

[Falconeer]

My employer does not allow weapons on premises. I was thinking about purchasing a blue or red gun and start carrying that in my IWB holster at work. Keep the real gun on me en route to work and when I arrive at the parking lot secure the real gun in the car, replace it with the rubber gun, and wear that during the day. I figure it's good practice, it allows me to keep the holster on all the time without having it collapse, makes it that much easier to rearm when I get back to the car, and cannot be considered a 'weapon' by my employer if it were accidently seen. Any thoughts or experience with this idea?

 

[Gordon Fink]

The problems that you guys in shall-issue states concoct for yourselves never cease to amaze me!

~G. Fink

 

[dctag]

I guess do whatever floats your boat. If I was your boss and I found out you were always carrying a concealed rubber gun I would probably send you in somewhere for a psychological evaluation. But do whatever makes you happy.

-David

 

[atlctyslkr]

I see so many potential problems with this. First off it's going to cause you alot of hassle if you get made with your rubber gun. It may not get you fired but it will no be soon forgotten. Then there's the issue of the real gun in the car. Generally employer's gun policies carry over to the parking lot as well. I would be very careful with whatever you decide. Leaving a gun in a car in a parkinglot isn't such a great idea. If you have a place to lock up stuff at your work maybe just putting it in a breifcase and locking up the breifcase would work. That is what I do. I believe in don't ask don't tell on this one. My employer has made it clear that they are not responsible for my saftey.

 

[James T Thomas]

to be or not to be

Falconeer:

I'm at retirement age, so I offer what I would do, not being in jeapordy as you are. However, I review the times when I knuckled under to an employer at various times and issues, and if I had to do it again, I would not do so. And I would be outspoken about it too. That is just me. Work has always been available as I reflect back on those times.

Truly, I would not only defy his requirement, but should I be called on it -knowing that dismissal was next, I would let him know before as many in the company that would over hear, just how tyrannical his policy is. I would keep it civil in tone, but loud and clear.

Get a small concealable pocket pistol and pocket holster that you are confident with, and keep it out of sight. Be discreet and on guard. But I wouldn't be anxious either.

Now, sir if your'e in debt, and the wolves are at your door, that might change the situation. There are circumstances. One of the good reasons to have a savings cushion. It provides some freedom for alternatives. Are you a father, have a wife, responsibilities? I'm sure you will meet them, regardless, but you have to live with yourself, and that integrity is your foundation for your family; not who you work for. Sometimes you will be able to provide more than enough, and occasionally things may be hard to come by.

I hope it works out well for you.

Jim

 

[sarhog]

I figure it's good practice, it allows me to keep the holster on all the time without having it collapse, makes it that much easier to rearm when I get back to the car, and cannot be considered a 'weapon' by my employer if it were accidently seen. Any thoughts or experience with this idea?

I haven't spewed coffee onto a keyboard and monitor in quite some time.
Good practice for what??
Here's an off the wall idea....if you choose to disarm to satisfy your employer; take the holster off with the gun, or get a holster that does not collapse.

What, exactly, do you hope to accomplish with this plan???

The problems that you guys in shall-issue states concoct for yourselves never cease to amaze me!

That certainly seems to be the case here.

Good luck with it!

 

[Byron Quick]

Seems to be a bit of trouble for no benefits.

 

[hso]

I'm sure that you would have come to the conclusion that it was a silly idea eventually, but several people have done that thinking for you.

If the holster was the concern, then your concerns were misplaced probably.

If the experience was concerned, then your concerns were probably also misplaced. If you can't carry at work what experience benefits would you gain?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I hate to be blunt but...

WHY?


(For something constructive, check out Fobus paddle holsters here. Twenty bucks and you can slip them on and off over your waistband. That solves the problem of dealing with your holster. I like them so much I carry with them full time.)

 

[Nashmack]

I carry at work, even though it's prohibited. I normally carry an EAA Witness compact in an IWB holster and it's not all that noticeable unless you're looking for it. Other occasions I'll disarm and secure the weapon in my vehicle if I'm wearing my leather Galco belt slide, however I leave the holster on the belt.

I haven't been challenged on it yet, but my supervisor tells me he's going to shoot a couple people every day

 

[Mannlicher]

so why does the term 'goofy' spring to mind?

 

[Falconeer]

My reasoning:

a) My job is business casual. I CANNOT get away with a paddle holster.
b) I cannot afford nor can I have (due to circumstances at home) 37 different guns depending on my weather/season/mood. I have a Sig P229. That's what I carry.
c) The size of my carry gun means pocket carry won't work. I have a C-TAC IWB holster.
d) I'm new to carry, and hoped to find a way to better integrate it into my life. The thought was I can ALWAYS have the holster on, and only put the rubber gun in those times when I can't have the live gun.

Maybe it's goofy, but it was my concern. As no one seems to have any input, I will withdrawn the question.

 

[sacp81170a]

??????????

Sounds a little goofy to me. If you wanna make a statement, make it somewhere besides on your employer's property on his time. Don't like the policy? It's a free country, find another employer whose views on personal defense are more in line with your own. Employer's property, employer's rules. Your property or a public place, do as you please as long as it ain't illegal. Not hard to figure out at all...

 

[K-Romulus]

Back in my single, ccw-state dwelling days, I would just leave everything at home when I left in the morning and put it back on with the "house" clothes when I got home that evening. Plus carry on the weekends/holidays.

I don't think you would get any more significant carry experience following your idea than what I got with what I used to do, but you would have a lot more headaches with your idea.

 

[Lou629]

Can you easily replace this job?

In terms of your salary, benefits, seniority & your overall job satisfaction? No offense intended but your idea will more likely get you noticed on the radar-screen with the powers-that-be as a potential nut case, than it will do anything for improving your tactical experiences. In most instances employers can hire and fire 'at will' and frequently do so with little or no reason at all. Why go and hand them an excuse?

 

[RyanM]

Just take the darn holster off. Or you could see if your cell phone fits in it. My cell phone fits in my G23 holster (actually it was made for a G26, but I got it cheap and the gun fits fine) like it was made for it.

 

[Falconeer]

Back in my single, ccw-state dwelling days, I would just leave everything at home when I left in the morning and put it back on with the "house" clothes when I got home that evening. Plus carry on the weekends/holidays.

I don't think you would get any more significant carry experience following your idea than what I got with what I used to do, but you would have a lot more headaches with your idea.

That makes a certain amount of sense. Thanks for the input.

In terms of your salary, benefits, seniority & your overall job satisfaction? No offense intended but your idea will more likely get you noticed on the radar-screen with the powers-that-be as a potential nut case, than it will do anything for improving your tactical experiences. In most instances employers can hire and fire 'at will' and frequently do so with little or no reason at all. Why go and hand them an excuse?

I understand what you're saying. I guess my thought was I wasn't breaking the rule, and if it did happen to get seen my explaination would make sense while not stepping on toes. But you're right that the perception would probably overwhelm the explanation.

Thanks kindly to the both of you for the input.

 

[jamz]

Indeed, I believe that an anti employer as well as a gun nut employer would see carrying a rubber gun as odd and noteworthy- not in a good way.

If you don't have to pass through metal detectors, or if your job doesn't require working around large magnets, or stripping down occaisionally, I say find a small concealable gun and carry anyway. But that's just me.

 

[oh blanky]

I don't use a holster, but I do carry rubber vomit or dog turds at work.

 

[mete]

In the NYPD those cops who were disiplined by having their guns taken away were referred to as the "rubber gun squad". Welcome to the squad Falconeer !!!

 

[James T Thomas]

logistic logic

It is not an excuse to be handed to an employer; personal safety and protection are for real.

I carry to protect myself, loved ones, and perhaps innocents; not for "tactical experience." Since you shoulder holster, the experience you will receive is drooped shoulder and sore arm pit.

To be clairvoyant and take off your weapon during parts of the day that you know that you will not need it would be a good thing. I have to bear mine or have it within reach constantly. All bad guys take notice.

May I recommend a "Tactical Catechism" seminar to you?

 

[rocky]

I would think a training gun carried would be only problems with no positive side to having 1.

 

[Byron Quick]

Falconeer,

After viewing your subsequent posts, perhaps I have a better grasp of your intentions with this concept.

A)You're new to carry.
B) You'fre still extremely self conscious when you carry with paranoia that everyone is looking at you
C)You conceptualized this as a way to become accustomed to carrying in a shorter length of time.

It's understandable when viewed as such. (My assumptions are probably all wrong.) I still think it is not a good idea. One thing I see happening is forgetting to replace it with the real gun after work. And then needing to draw the real gun on an assailant. OOPS. Another thing I see happening is trying to explain why you are carrying a dummy gun at work. Even if you squeak by with the dummy gun it will get you strange looks for quite some time. As well as having co-workers and supervisors wondering about your mental health.

If your goal is to become accustomed to carrying-be patient. It will come of its own. The only time I'm aware of mine is when it's not there.

 

[The_Antibubba]

In some states (I don't know which one you're in), if it looks like a gun, and someone sees it and panics, you are in as much trouble as if you had the real thing. It doesn't sound like it's worth it.

Try ordering some T-shirts that express how you feel. One of favorites says: I AM UNARMED! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!! and is illustrated by a cowering stick figure.

 

[repo]

I don't mean to offend but it sounds a little nutty to me.